Welcome to Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we could all use a little awareness.
Most know my mom is a breast cancer survivor, 29 years to be exact! She was 23 when she was diagnosed---Twenty.Three. We all know if a relative, especially an immediate relative has been diagnosed with cancer your risk factor greatly increases (thanks genes!). I've found throughout the past few Susan G. Koman walks a lot of people are unaware of the genetic testing you can have done to see where your risk stands. My mom was all over this when our physician mentioned it. All it takes is a little swab in your mouth...no needles! Mine came back positive for the breast cancer gene (boo hoo). With these results really nothing changes, other than a couple preventative doctor visits a year. I go into the Women's Center at Mercy every 6 months for either a breast MRI or an ultra sound, simple as that! With this being said, I would encourage everyone who has family members who have or had cancer to get this testing done. Insurance covers it and there's no reason not to protect yourself. Not only do your chances increase for breast cancer, but also many others. With the regular visits I'm on, if something were to ever appear, it would be caught very quick. Early detection is early protection.
And men, you don't luck out of this one so you too can get the testing done and know more about your risk.
Happy October, Stay Safe :)
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